Hedgehogs by Vicki from Sweet Tweets
I asked Vicki of Sweet Tweets to do a guest post for me a few weeks ago. I had planned on posting it in May but I just had to share it now because they are so darn cute! See the cute little hedgehogs by Vicki? They are the cutest hedgehog cookies I have seen and I want to learn how to make some! But these hedgehogs are more than cute cookies! Vicki does something special with them. Tell us about it Vicki!
A couple weeks ago, Lisa asked me to do a guest post on her blog. I thought for a couple of days about what I wanted to do and then I noticed that my cookie friend, Jill (Jill FCS) was doing a guest post BEFORE me. How could this happen? This was like singing the National Anthem after Whitney Houston……really, could I “hit it out of the park” like Jill did?
I got to thinking about things I loved about the various blogs and realized it is the diversity in the guest posts that is so interesting……at least that is what I keep telling myself! So, I decided to take a few steps back and post a tutorial on a cookie that a beginning cookie maker could do. That was me, less than 2 years ago! There were no blogs that I can remember then, so I spent my days on Flickr trying to figure out “how did they do that?” Today, I think cookiers are some of the most generous about openly sharing tips and techniques. With that in mind, I have an “emergency cookie” tip at the end that I hope you will “rock your world”…or at the very least will “save your hide” if you get in a bind!
Let me start out by saying that I technically do not SELL my cookies. I live in a state that does not allow home-baking and therefore, I let everyone know that if they want cookies they can give to local charities. I spent about a year donating to various schools, arts and children’s organizations. I have decided this year to focus on our local zoo, which encompasses all of that. The zoo touches everyone in our community…young and old from all economic backgrounds. I asked the zoo if I could sponsor their new hedgehog exhibit and they were happy to purchase two new baby hedgehogs, which I got to name! They will be called “Sugar and Spice”. They will make daily rounds at the zoo meeting everyone and will be permanently housed in the soon to open educational center. No, my sponsorship will not stop global warming or bring about world peace, but I love the look of awe on the children’s faces when they get to hold and learn about an animal that they have not seen before. What else do you know can bring a smile to a baby AND a teenager?
So, with that little intro out of the way……….let’s make HEDGEHOGS! I was so happy when Coppergifts came out with their new hedgehog cutter…I think I was the first person to acquire one! This is a great “beginner” cookie because you can use any colors you like and “freestyle” the design…no Kopykake required! Personalize your hedgehog!
Supplies:
Edible Marker
Dark Brown Outline and Flood Icing (I used a #2 tip for both)
Cream Colored Outline and Flood Icing
Black Outline (for mouth or eyes if you don’t have the edible pearls)
Pink Luster Dust for cheeks
Round Pink Candy (or any color and you can find them in the in the wedding section of Hobby Lobby in many colors)
Small Black Dragees (for the eyes)
Hedgehog cookies
Options:
I then gathered up all my “leftover” icing to use for Hedgie embellishment…..any colors/consistency you want.
Another option is to cut out from fondant some little “flowers” for the girl Hedgies….totally up to you!
Look at that cute little hedgehog cutter! I can’t wait to decorate these.
Before you bake the cookies, you can flip a few of them over so it they are looking at each other.
To make it easy, I used a brown edible marker to sketch where I wanted to pipe. This cookie is really easy because there are no small areas to “cave” and really, you just can’t mess up a hedgehog. I did them all a little different, so don’t stress over the lines!
Then, with your outline icing, outline the body in cream and back in dark brown. I had leftover pink and blue icing and thought it would look good so, I also took liberties and used them.
Then, with the flood icing, flood the hedgehog back portion. I wanted to do wet-on-wet technique for the design, so I immediately used my leftover icing and just piped some polka-dots and other designs. You might need to work with one cookie at a time and work fast so the icing does not crust over.
Wait about an hour or so and then flood the bottom part of the hedgehog and face with cream colored icing. Immediately drop in a black pearl candy for the eye and a round pink candy for the nose. Let this dry for a few hours.
Then, add some details. With the black icing, add a mouth.
Next, add some “rosy” cheeks with luster dust. You can also add a cute little fondant flower or some eyelashes.
Let these dry overnight
Now, for my “911 Emergency” cookie tip!
Are you the type of person that hides a key to your front door under the mat … “just in case”?? OR do you keep a $20 bill in the car, in a “secret” spot in your purse and in numerous other places “just in case”??
I am a “plan ahead” person and hate when I get thrown for a loop or have an emergency that derails my plans. In the cookie world, planning is important, because sometimes cookies can take 2 or 3 days to complete and if something goes awry, it can be stressful. My kids once let our “outdoor” Labrador in the house unbeknownst to me. When I heard a clanging sound in the “cookie room” I ran in to find him finishing up the last of 4 dozen cookies I had just decorated! I was paralyzed in disbelief!
So now I have a back-up plan and that involves always, always, always having a batch of homemade buttercream fondant on hand. Find the recipe here. It takes about 30 minutes to make and wrapped tightly will last a couple months….well worth the time spent!
So, let’s say that TOMORROW you need a couple dozen hedgehog cookies and you have not received your hedgehog cutter yet and don’t have time to outline and flood (and let dry overnight) a base coat for simple circle cookies. Here’s the plan:
First, cut out a batch of circle (or square) cookies. Put them in the fridge and preheat your oven.
Then, cut out the SAME number of circles (same cutter) from your “stash” of homemade fondant.
Next, bake your cookies.
IMMEDIATELY after the cookies come out of the oven, place your fondant cut outs on top of your hot cookies. Get them on straight, but do not touch.
The fondant will almost “melt” onto the cookie and now will be almost like a layer of icing…yummy icing!
Let them cool (do not accelerate this by putting in fridge)
Once your cookies are cool, freehand an outline of a hedgehog.
Next, with our outline icing, outline your hedgehog.
Then, with your brown flood icing, flood your hedgehog back and add a few details.
Next, with your cream flood icing, flood the face and body of your hedgehog. You can add a black pearl candy for the eye and nose.
Ta-da!!! This took me about 2 hours start to finish with MOST of that being “cookie cooling” time.
I don’t have to use this method very much, but I have been told by several people that they prefer the fondant to royal icing, so don’t let that deter you. It is always good to have a back-up plan after all!
I would love to give everyone who is just starting out making cookies one giant piece of advice: Don’t give up. Don’t get frustrated by looking at all the lovely cookies on the internet and Facebook and say, “I can never do that”. I still have days where I am not pleased with what I do….in fact, I wish I had done these hedgehogs better…I see every little “fault”! You DON’T need a kopykake or an airbrush system or even PME tips to be a great cookie decorator. All you need is PASSION! The technique will come before you know it!
Thank you, Lisa for letting me “visit” all of your friends and “Happy Baking”!!
Thanks Vicki! That was amazing! I didn’t realize you were going to give us “Emergency Cookies” also! These are the cutest little hedgehogs ever!!! Thank you so much for being here today and taking the time to tell us about Sugar and Spice.
I also make donations with the cookies I make. Vicki and I want to encourage you to give donations with your cookie work once or twice a year. Cookie make people happy but they can also make a big difference!!
Happy Creating,
i loved it, thanks for sharing!
The hedgehog decorating ideas are really fun and whimsical, thanks for sharing.
Vicki, Vicki, Vicki, you always rock my world with your incredible cookie designs and flawless execution, but most of all; you make my heart sing with your kind and generous spirit! I am so excited to try your “911 Emergency Tip”! You are aaaaaa-maaaaaaz-ing and I am so honored to call you my dear friend!!!
Lisa — I am lovin’ these guest posts! Kudos to you for taking your blog to the next level!
I have to be honest I have never thought “hedgehog” and “cute” in the same sentence UNTIL I MET YOU VICKI!! These are SO adorable!! I love all the fun designs on them!
This is an awesome post!! I’ve never heard anyone talk about the buttercream fondant…with three crazy boys, I think that is something that I need to look into!!
Oh wow! What a wonderful post Vicki. Hedgehogs……never thought much about them. But these cookies are the cutest. I love your patterns and I love your tutorial. Great job! 🙂
I had no idea hedgehogs were trending, but they certainly will be now. SO cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great post by a great cookie-r.
These are so adorable. I love the polka dots and other designs on them.
too cute for words!!! Great tips, too. Thanks for having Sweet Treats over for a guest post and I must agree Cookiers are so nice and sharing about their craft. I am came to cookies from cakes and cupcakes and those girls/boys aren’t HALF as nice about sharing…
I just came across this post and was so inspired. Vicki maybe I’ll try my hand at cookie making. Someday? Lisa thanks for having Vicki share. This blog will make my day happier!!
I love these!! And thank you so much for the emergency cookie tip–I’ve never made buttercream fondant (or any fondant for that matter) but I might have to give this a try!
Aww these lil guys are the cutest. I enjoyed this post. I am going to have to try this buttercream fondant. Sounds yummy & another wonderful alternative to flooding when you are pressured for time. Great tutorial!!!
what a great post, vicki!!! and i love the buttercream fondant idea…genious!!! your hedgehogs are the cutest and now i really want to order a hedgehog cutter:)
Thank you all for your kind words……..and thank you to Lisa for inviting me!
Well I never! Ive had a hedgehog cutter for over a year and never knew what to do with him! Never knew someone who bought baby hedgehogs, never knew there was an emergency cookie, never knew hedgehogs could be so cute and colorful. But I always knew this: Vicki is a complete sweetheart and totally awesome!
Lisa, Thanks so much for featuring Vicki! Such fabulous info. and adorable hedgehog cookies!
Sugar and Spice are the perfect names:)
Thanks Vicki! Great tips for someone who is a beginner (aka me).
Wow, what an awesome post, Vicki! Your hedgehog cookies are absolutely adorable and, with the buttercream fondant, I know they taste as good as they look! I also love the names of the new hedgehogs at the zoo, too cute.
Awesome Post! Thank you so much for featuring Vicki! 🙂 I totally agree with Vicki, I used to look around Flickr and try to figure out how a cookier did things. I am so thankful for all the blogs who have amazing tutorials!
This was fantastic!
Oh my gosh…these are soo cute. i am new to cookie decorating..but, i will try to duplicate this. thanks
Very cute little creatures. I like your style!
I’m from Hattiesburg (like Vicki), and she is my favorite cookie maker ever! She has been doing my special event cookies since my daughter was born in 2009, and her creativity and talent never cease to amaze me! I was also able to attend the Zoo event where “Sugar” and “Spice” were unveiled – not only were they adorable, but they were a huge hit with the kids! Thank you, Vicki for sharing your talents with us!
Oh wow, first off these hedgehogs are beyond adorable! I mean seriously in love with these! Now I desperately want this cutter. All the different adorable decorative elements are amazing! I always love your cookies! I’m excited to finally have your name! I’ve had Sweet Tweets on my favorite cookier list for a while now, but didn’t know your name. Thanks for sharing your beautiful cookies Vicki and especially thanks for the inspiration. I loved what you said about not giving up when you see the gorgeous cookies on the internet. We all need those reminders and to continue to do what we love!! Thanks!
I am so in love with the hedgehog cookies…..I’ve handcut them but will just have to bite the bullet and get a cutter. They are an awesome addition to a garden themed platter! Soooooooo cute…..now you’ve gone and made them “funky” and there is no end to all the times they can be used! Love ’em!
Blessings, Donna B.
How cute, Vicki! I never would have thought of hedgehogs. You are certainly creative! I’ll take a dozen!!!
I will take two dozen!! LOL
These are adorable! I love all the different patterns you came up with… I always have trouble being creative with that on the fly.
Vicki is amazing at that! I am like you, it is better if I have a plan ahead. 🙂
WOW, these are the cutest little hedgehogs I ever did see!
wow, some awesome tips here! Never would have thought fondant as a quick topper. Love the hedgehogs, need to try some of the wet on wet technique to get those fabulous patterns! yay!
These cookies are some of the favorite that I have ever seen! Love all of your work, Vicki! You give a little inspiration & hope to us non-baking moms who must make a last-minute gift for school – although I’m certain that my “emergency” would never turn into results like these!
I need hedgehogs. I didn’t know that I needed them until now….but it’s clear that they must be in my kitchen now. Cutest little noses ever!! Congrats on your little babies Sugar and Spice!
I love these so much!
This is so cute! I’ve never wanted to eat a hedgehog as much as I do right now 😉
I love your work and how everything looks so nice. Thanks for sharing
Great idea, and thank you for the advice on starting out as well.
thank-you so much. You are right in saying that cookie ers are generous in their tips. I love to receive and share what I’ve learn ‘t. How right you are about being overwhelmed by all the ‘perfection’ out there. It gives me courage to keep trying. And how bad can it be … Really…it’s food after all and we get to eat the mistakes right!
I can’t wait to find sometime soon to make these hedgehogs. I used to love to hear them snuffling around in our garden at night looking for slugs and snails…knowing that our lettuces were safe ! Many thanks and may God continue to bless your creativity.
diario reviso tu pagina me encanta recibir sorpresas y mejorar mi dia con tus grandes creaciones eso me da motivo para continuar.
excelente trabajo y bien por ti no hay que escatimar en algo que a uno le gusta …$$$$$